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Mental health has become one of the most important issues on college campuses across the country, with college students facing a variety of challenges ranging from academic pressures to career uncertainty to social and economic stressors. All these issues have been exacerbated by the coronavirus outbreak. According to the Healthy Minds Study (2023), nearly 40% of college students reported feeling overwhelming anxiety and 44% experienced depression. And, quite concerningly, 15% of college students report having seriously considered suicide in the past year.
This mental health crisis is not limited to individual students, but affects the entire academic environment, creating ripple effects such as social withdrawal, lower grades, and increased dropout rates. Despite increased resources, students still lack access to adequate mental health support on campus. Many universities have limited numbers of counseling staff, and stigma around mental health issues persists on college campuses and in society at large.
In response to these gaps, Dante Wade, Aaron Warrick, and Gregory Wilson created Reju, a mental health platform. Alumni of Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, a historically black college, they founded Reju based on both personal experience and a collective mission to provide needed mental health resources to students. I did. The founders reflected on their experiences battling mental health and supporting families, and aimed to create an inclusive platform that promotes “mental, physical and emotional success.”
Founder of Reju who launched the program.
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Mr Wade said: “Each of us has experienced a personal journey with anxiety and depression, as well as people with mental health issues such as Alzheimer’s disease, bipolar disorder, and other chronic illnesses. ” The founders designed Reju to address the complexities of mental health, making it accessible, affordable and approachable for young people navigating college life.
According to the founders, Reju’s approach to mental health is rooted in a holistic approach that focuses on various aspects of health, from psychological and physical health to emotional health. The platform’s design encourages users to connect with others through peer-to-peer interactions and wellness coaching. Explaining this approach, Wade said the app ensures “a holistic approach to mental health through ease of use and features purposefully introduced to lower the barrier to entry for wellness solutions.” Masu. Reju stands out by providing traditional mental health resources, personalized support sessions, and wellness content that go beyond traditional clinical mental health topics.
Faced with the challenge of scaling Reju in the competitive environment of higher education, the founders developed an innovative advocacy strategy to expand their impact. Because of financial limitations compared to larger competitors, it has relied on direct support and partnerships to spread its message. For example, during a student panel event at historically Black Howard University, Reju brought students together to share personal stories of resilience. The event also included mental health therapists and yoga instructors who demonstrated different ways students can approach mental health.
Reju’s founders believe that supporting young people’s mental health is not only a personal initiative, but also a societal one. “There is a national conversation about strengthening mental health in society, especially when it comes to young people,” Wade noted. Reju’s mission is to provide students with the tools they need to establish a solid spiritual foundation for life after college, preparing them to become healthier and more resilient members of society .
As we navigate the ongoing mental health crisis, there is one important question to ask. How can we, as individuals and as a community, actively ensure that college students receive the comprehensive mental health resources they need to thrive?While Reju offers a promising model, , it is important that each of us strives to remove barriers and stigma around mental health support.
“Repair Education” by Karen Gross and Edward K.S. Wang
Teachers College Press
Karen Gross, co-author of Mending Education: Finding Hope, Creativity, and Mental Wellness in Times of Trauma, said: We also know that when students are not developing psychosocially, learning is severely hampered. It is the duty of all of us as educators to help our students become their best selves academically, psychologically, and socially. Mental health is not a luxury. It’s a must have. ”
